All Blacks coach Ian Foster has revamped his side, making 11 changes to the team that will take on Wales in Cardiff on Sunday morning.
In the forwards, Shannon Frizell is all that remains from the team that started against Japan. Just three players who started last week in the backs return too.
Significant changes were unavoidable, after skipper Sam Cane and hooker Dane Coles were made unavailable due to injury, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Braydon Ennor were released and Brodie Retallick was suspended following a red card against Japan.
The changes mean the Barrett brothers are all set to start in Cardiff, with Jordie as second five-eighth and Beauden as fullback. Rieko Ioane is back at centre, with Aaron Smith returning as halfback.
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Sam Whitelock will now serve as captain, promoted to skipper ahead of Ardie Savea after Cane was ruled out.
The team naming comes as more doubts are raised about the All Blacks, following months of inconsistent performances.
Foster’s men have already lost four times this season. They suffered a 2-1 home series loss against Ireland back in July, and in August they chalked up a historic 25-18 loss to Argentina on home soil, as well as a loss to South Africa.
Last week, they delivered an unconvincing 38-31 win against Japan, marred by a red card given to lock Brodie Retallick.
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Ian Foster’s men have already chalked up multiple losses this season.
That prompted coach Jamie Joseph, a former All Black, to say NZ was losing its fear factor.
“Everyone is thinking about the All Blacks and that’s part of their armour, really,” Joseph said post-match.
“Having played for the All Blacks, one of the things we used to talk about 25 years ago was that everyone was a wee bit scared of us,” he said. “Perhaps that’s not the case any more, I’m not sure.”
Wales will be hoping to capitalise on NZ’s shaky form, to end their 69-year test drought against New Zealand.
On Thursday, former Wales wing Mark Jones told Planet Rugby there was now “a great opportunity for Wales to record that elusive win against the All Blacks”.
“New Zealand’s recent form over the last 12-18 months has given a lot of teams that sense that perhaps their aura is flickering a little bit.
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The All Blacks beat Japan, but it wasn’t a convincing victory.
“Argentina and Australia have both shown the Kiwis are vulnerable, and I think Japan have shown last weekend that they’re capable of causing New Zealand problems with the right type of game,” he said.
“They’re a fantastic team, but the fact is they haven’t been the 93-94% win-rate team over the last few years.”
The All Blacks will face Wales at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales at 4.15am on Sunday, November 6, NZ time.
